A new synthesis and study of diferrocenylsulfide

Diferrocenylsulfide (I) has been prepared in 76% yield via a new simple route involving bromoferrocene and the reactive bis(phenylsulfonyl)sulfide. Cyclic voltammetry of diferrocenylsulfide in CH2Cl2 shows two reversible one electron processes at 0.61 V and 0.90 V. The mixed valence diferrocenylsulfide species was prepared by controlled current oxidation and two bands in the visible region at λmax 800 nm (ϵ 442) and λ 410 nm (ϵ 1548) are observed, no near IR band is detected.